Hand grip device

ABSTRACT

A hand grip device ( 14 ) which allows a user to execute physical activities, such as weight lifting, physical therapy or carrying items, while relieving stress or pressure on the user&#39;s fingers. The device ( 14 ) has a U-shaped grip member ( 1 ) and an adjustable strap ( 3 ). The grip member ( 14 ), preferably made of steel and covered with a rubber coating, is sized so as to be grasped within a user&#39;s hand. The adjustable strap ( 3 ) feeds through a slot ( 2 ) on the grip member ( 1 ) and wraps around a wrist ( 11 ) of the user. The strap ( 3 ) has a fastening means ( 4 ), preferably hook and loop type fastening material, and an adjuster ( 5 ), preferably similar to that of a buckle-type nature, to obtain a snug fit against the user&#39;s wrist ( 11 ). The user simply places the grip member ( 1 ) around a handle ( 10 ) to use. The user need not maintain a grip on the grip member ( 1 ) as the pressure from the weight will be displaced from the user&#39;s fingers ( 12 ) to the wrist ( 11 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hand grips, more specifically, a hand grip device that allows a user to execute physical activities, such as weight lifting, physical therapy or carrying items, while relieving stress or pressure on the user's fingers.

Weight resistance training has become increasingly popular over the last several years. Fitness experts, celebrities and even the executive director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports have praised the benefits of weight resistance training as part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only can weight resistance training increase strength and muscle tone, but it can also increase heart and lung efficiency, increase flexibility, mobility and coordination, reduce the risk of high blood pressure, lower cholesterol level and provide an outlet from work or other stressful elements.

However, many people do not like to weight resistance train for several reasons. First, the free weight handle or stationary weight handle tends to rub against a person's hand and cause irritation. Second, when a person does use a free weight or stationary weight, his or her hand sweats onto the weight handle, thus causing the person to not have a secure grip on the handle. Third, many people do not wipe off the weight handle after using the weight, thus promoting unsanitary conditions. Thus, more and more people are using gloves at health clubs and gyms in order to get a better grip on the weight handle and have a more sanitary workout.

However, there is yet one more problem relating to gripping weight handles: finger fatigue. In order to maximize the benefits of weight resistance training, enough weight must be lifted in order to cause the muscle to fatigue, but many people have difficultly reaching the muscle fatigue level because so much strain is placed on the fingers to grip the handle of the weight or due to physical infirmities, such as arthritis. The person must have a continuously secure grip on the handle of the weight in order to keep working the muscle. Once the person's fingers tire, he or she cannot lift the weight, therefore cannot work the muscle.

Currently, there are no devices designed to aid a person's grip without risking finger fatigue which are adjustable to accommodate a person's wrist size. Thus, a person must either squeeze into a device that is too small or wear a device that is too large and is uncomfortable to wear due to the device constantly shifting on the person's wrist.

Not only could the present invention be used during weight resistance training, but it could also be used for other activities in which a person must maintain a continuously secure grip on an item's handle, such as during physical therapy and carrying luggage, shopping bags, briefcases and the like. In addition, a person with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome could use the device as a fixed wrist position is not required to use the device while performing activities.

Thus, a need exists for an adjustable hand grip device which does not promote finger fatigue.

The relevant prior art includes the following patents: Pat. No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor Issue Date 4,487,412 Meeko Dec. 11, 1984 5,298,001 Goodson Mar. 29, 1994 4,807,876 Lothar Feb. 28, 1989 3,541,990 Du Mas Nov. 24, 1970 4,720,279 Fritschen et al. Jan. 19, 1988 5,353,440 Meldeau Oct. 11, 1994 5,685,809 Murray Nov. 11, 1997 4,684,122 Desmond et al. Aug. 04, 1987

Although the above patents teach various types of hand grip devices, none teach a hand grip device wherein an adjustable strap is wrapped around a wrist and attached to a rigid U-shaped device for stress relief of the fingers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a hand grip device that allows a user to engage in physical activities while relieving stress or pressure on the user's fingers.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hand grip device that can adjust to accommodate various wrist sizes.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a hand grip device that is easy to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hand grip device that is durable.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a hand grip device that is comfortable to use, even for a person with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or other infirmities of the hand.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hand grip device that can be placed on and off of a person without requiring the aid of others.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a hand grip device comprised of two components: a grip member and an adjustable strap. The grip member is U-shaped so as to accommodate the handle of a weight and has an opening for the insertion of an adjustable strap. The grip member is made of a rigid and durable material, preferably steel, so as to withstand large amounts of pressure without bending and is sized so as to be grasped within the palm and fingers of a user. The grip member is then covered, preferably with a layer of rubber treated with an antibacterial agent, so as to prevent the grip member from sliding along the handle and to promote sanitary conditions. The adjustable strap, preferably made of a heavy duty cotton material, feeds through a slot on the grip member and wraps around a wrist of the user. A fastening means, preferably hook and loop type fastening material, is located on a central and distal ends of the front of the strap while an adjuster, preferably similar to that of a buckle-type nature, is located on the proximal end of wrist strap.

To use the present invention, the user first feeds the adjustable strap through the grip member slot with the fastening means facing towards the adjuster and positions the hand grip device so the hand grip device is in between the adjuster and the central end fastening means. The user then places his or her hand over the grip member with the opening near the person's wrist and cups the grip member so his or her palm and fingers cover the grip member. Then, using the other hand, the user grasps the distal end of the strap, wraps it around the back of his or her wrist and feeds it through the adjuster. The user then pulls the strap to obtain the desired tightness. To secure the strap, the user simply presses the fastening means located on the distal end of the strap to the corresponding fastening means located on the center of the strap. Now that the hand grip device is secured to the user, he or she can proceed to perform other activities, such as weight resistance training.

To use the device during weight resistance training or physical therapy, the user simply places the grip member around the handle of the weight and proceeds to exercise as usual. The user need not maintain a grip on the grip member as the pressure from the weight will be displaced from the fingers of the user to the wrist.

In an alternative method of use, the user could position the hand grip device so as the opening on the hand grip device is not against the user's wrist. In this position, the hand grip device and the palm portion of the user's hand act together to surround the handle of the weight.

If the person chooses to use the hand grip device to carry items with handles, the user simply places the handles into the cupped portion of the grip member.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the hand grip device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the grip member of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is top view of the strap of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hand grip device of the present invention in a first position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the hand grip device of the present invention in a second position; and

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

-   -   1. grip member     -   2. slot     -   3. strap     -   4. fastening means     -   5. adjuster     -   6. distal end of strap     -   7. proximal end of strap     -   8. central portion of strap     -   9. cupped portion     -   10. handle     -   11. wrist     -   12. finger     -   13. palm     -   14. hand grip device     -   15. strap front     -   16. strap back     -   17. first end of grip member     -   18. second end of grip member

With reference to FIG. 1, a top view of the hand grip device 14 of the present invention is shown. The hand grip device 14 has a grip member 1, preferably made of steel and coated with an antibacterial plastic, having a first end 17 and second end 18 and a strap 3, preferably made of a heavy duty cotton material, having a front 15 and a back 16. The strap 3 feeds through a slot 2 located on the first end of grip member 17. The strap front 15 has a fastening means 4 located thereon and an adjuster 5, preferably that similar to a buckle, located on the end of the strap 3.

With reference to FIG. 2, a side view of the grip member 1 of the present invention is shown. The grip member 1 is U-shaped wherein the first end of the grip member 17 is longer than the second end of the grip member 18. The slot 2 is located along the longer end of the grip member 1. The cupped portion 9 of the grip member 1 holds the handles of various items, including, but not limited to, handles for free weights, handles for weight machines, luggage handles, shopping bag handles, briefcase handles.

In FIG. 3, a top view of the strap 3 of the present invention is shown. The strap front 15 has two areas of fastening material 4 located thereon: the central portion 8 and the distal end 6. An adjuster 5 is located on the proximal end of the strap 7.

In FIG. 4, a side view of the hand grip device 14 of the present invention in a first position is shown. First, the user positions the hand grip device 14 so a first end of the grip member 17 is against the user's palm 13 and a second end of the grip member 18 is against the user's fingers 12. Then, the user secures the strap 3 of the hand grip device 14 around his or her wrist 11 so, after feeding the strap 3 through the adjuster 5, the distal end of the strap 6 overlaps onto the fastening means 4 on the strap front 15. The grip member 1 is then placed over the handle 10 so as the cupped portion 9 of the grip member 1 is resting on the handle 10. Although it is not necessary for the fingers 12 to wrap around the grip member 1 in order to use the device 14, the user may find it more comfortable to do so while performing tasks.

With reference to FIG. 5, a side view of the hand grip device 14 of the present invention in a second position is shown. In this second use, the user positions the hand grip device 14 so the second end of the grip member 18 is against the user's palm 13 and the first end of the grip member 17 is against the user's fingers 12. The palm 13 of the user's hand acts to surround the handle 10 of the weight so the user is able to exert more control over the hand grip device 14.

Finally, with reference to FIG. 6, a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is shown. After the strap 3 is fed through the adjuster 5, the fastening means 4 on the strap 3 attach to one another to secure a tight fit around the user's wrist.

The use of the present invention will allow a person to execute physical activities, such as weight lifting, physical therapy or carrying items, while relieving stress or pressure on the user's fingers.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings. 

1. A hand grip device comprising: a substantially rigid U-shaped grip member having a first end and a second end; a strap removably attached to the grip member having a front and a back; the strap having a first end and a second end; the strap having a predetermined length and a predetermined width; and a means for fastening the strap first end to the strap second end.
 2. The hand grip device of claim 1 wherein: the grip member is steel.
 3. The hand grip device of claim 2 wherein: the grip member is coated with a plastic finish.
 4. The hand grip member of claim 1 wherein: the grip member has a slot located on the first end; and the slot is sized so as to accommodate the strap width.
 5. The hand grip member of claim 1 wherein: the grip member first end is longer than the grip member second end.
 6. The hand grip device of claim 4 wherein: the grip member first end is longer than the grip member second end.
 7. The hand grip device of claim 1 wherein: the means for fastening is hook and loop type material.
 8. The hand grip device of claim 1 further comprising: an adjuster located on said first end of the strap.
 9. The hand grip device of claim 8 wherein: the adjuster is sized so as to accommodate said width of the strap.
 10. The hand grip device of claim 7 wherein: the fastening means is located on the front of the strap.
 11. A method of using a hand grip device comprising a substantially rigid U-shaped grip member having a first end and a second end; a strap removably attached to the grip member having a front and a back; the strap having a first end and a second end; the strap having a predetermined length and a predetermined width; and a means for fastening the strap first end to the strap second end, said method comprising the steps of: a. placing the hand grip device in a palm of a user's hand; b. placing the strap around a wrist of a user; c. applying the means for fastening; and d. placing a handle of an object into the U-shaped grip member.
 12. The method claimed in claim 11 wherein: the object is a shopping bag.
 13. The method claimed in claim 11 wherein: the object is luggage.
 14. The method claimed in claim 11 wherein: the object is a briefcase.
 15. The method claimed in claim 11 wherein: the object is a weight. 